Philippine Coast Guard Says Chinese Helicopter Flew Within 10 Feet of Patrol Plane Over Disputed Shoal

Manila and Beijing trade accusations over the latest encounter in the South China Sea.

An aircraft identified by the Philippine Coast Guard as a Chinese navy helicopter (L) flies near the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) plane during an aerial reconnaissance flight at Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Feb. 18, 2025. Jam Sta Rosa/AFP via Getty Images

The Philippine Coast Guard said a Chinese navy helicopter executed “dangerous flight maneuvers” as it approached its aircraft patrolling the South China Sea on Feb. 18.

“This reckless action posed a serious risk to the safety of the pilots and passengers” during its flight, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a social media statement.